May 13, 2004

Spyro Gyra - "The Deep End" to be released May 25

Set for release on May 25, The Deep End (also available as an SACD in 5.1 Surround Sound) - Spyro Gyra's 3rd album on Heads Up and 27th album overall - features the solid musicianship of founder Jay Beckenstein on saxophones, Tom Schuman on keyboards, Julio Fernandez on guitars, Scott Ambush on bass, and drummers Joel Rosenblatt, Billy Kilson and the newest member of the group, Ludwig Afonso (on "Joburg Jam"). The 26-year-old Cuban drummer accompanied his University of Miami teacher to the audition, wanted to try out, and got the gig!

Celebrating their 30th anniversary, the group has earned the respect of its audience with over 10 million albums sold. Spyro Gyra continues to break new ground with this latest release, the follow-up to Original Cinema, which spent most of 2003 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz chart. Their 2001 Heads Up debut, In Modern Times, logged 64 weeks on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz chart, peaking at #2.

Beckenstein says, "The Deep End speaks of an emotional leap, of following your heart, The music is complex, but the approach is emotional. It's less produced that the last record and represents a swing back to a live band sound."

Special guests include Dave Samuels on vibes, Don Harris on trumpet, and percussionists Cyro Baptista, David Charles and Daniel Sadownick.